Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Ah... The Wall of God

There is nothing to be done, in fact, the matter is over.Just when Liu Jiyuan held Zhao Kuangyin's letter of appointment and remained silent, the plan to surprise the Northern Han Dynasty had been completely aborted. What happened next was the punishment for Zhao Kuangyin's rash act.In November of that year, the reinforcements from the Northern Han Dynasty finally arrived, and the Khitan cavalry swept from the colder north like a torrent of steel.The siege could not go down, and the Song army, which had already lost its vigor, retreated rapidly, trying to avoid fighting, and finally returned with the whole army.

However, the Khitan would not send troops in vain, and the Northern Han would not be bullied in vain. They took advantage of the trend to counterattack the Song Dynasty.The cities of Jin and Jiang prefectures on the border of the Song Dynasty were breached, and all the property, people and animals in the city were looted. When the news spread to Kaifeng, Zhao Kuangyin, the emperor of the Song Dynasty, was shocked and angry. It is said that his dark purple face became darker. As for the liver, beef liver, pig liver, or anything else, it is hard to say. up.And in his extreme anger, apart from some shame, he didn't regret much.He deeply knew that if he went back to three months ago and faced with such an opportunity, he would still make the same choice.

So what went wrong?Why did it fail? Is it a mistake that lost the opportunity to cooperate with the inside and the outside?Or, who didn't try his best and deceived him?No, neither.Whether it's Li Jixun, Hou Barong, Hui Lin, or Guo Wuwei, each of them has done their best, which can be called conscientious.As for the inconsistency in the time of action, there is no way, no one can take God with him when he is fighting. So, how did things go wrong?Zhao Kuangyin was puzzled, and began to become depressed, irritable, and when he looked at others, his eyes were very wrong. But at this time, there are still people committing crimes against the wind, and they must challenge the limit of Zhao Kuangyin's endurance.This man's name is Lei Dexiang, a member of Tuntian, Wailang, and responsible for joining the army under the responsibility of Shangzhou Sihu.This Mr. Lei was as his name suggests, a real thunderbolt. One day, without waiting for an introduction, he directly broke into the lecture hall to talk to Zhao Kuangyin himself, and he was "severe in speech".

He said that Prime Minister Zhao Pu is a real bastard who has been running amok for a long time. He bought and sold people's houses by force and accepted bribes. He asked Zhao Kuangyin to enforce the law impartially and remove Zhao Pu. To be honest, Lei Dexiang had no selfish intentions, he probably said what many people were thinking at that time, but not only did he choose the wrong time, he was so angry that he couldn't see that Zhao Kuangyin was holding the famous ax in his hand at this time , and stared at his front teeth very maliciously. The result was tragic, and Zhao Kuangyin, who was furious, hit the target with an axe.Because the technique is already proficient, it is not the first time to operate, and the range of control is very precise, and the two front teeth of Mr. Lei's upper teeth disappeared.In this way, Zhao Kuangyin's anger has not dissipated.He ordered that the guy who yelled at him be dragged out, handed over to Zhao Pu directly, and cut him off!

When Lei Dexiang was dragged away, the great hall was still echoing with the roar of the officials of the Song Dynasty - "The tripod still has ears, don't you hear Zhao Puwu's Sheji minister?" But of course, Zhao Kuangyin was not the Terminator Zhu Wen after all. After a while, he withdrew the death sentence and dismissed Lei Dexiang only for trespassing on the Hall of Martial Arts. After venting his anger, Zhao Kuangyin calmed down.This is the second time he has publicly defended Zhao Pu.A few months ago, several people with higher officials, namely Feng Zan, a direct scholar of the Privy Council, Li Mei, the deputy envoy of Lingjin, and Li Zhi, the imperial servant in the palace, joined forces to impeach Zhao Pu for corruption and perverting the law, and demanded that the prime minister be imprisoned. execute.His reaction was to escort all these people to the legendary exile sanctuary of Salmonella Island (please refer to how classic this place is), and they will settle there permanently if they are pardoned.

Doesn't it look stupid to do so?Hmph, Zhao Kuangyin sneered, since Zhao Pu is a corrupt official in the eyes of these people, it is very likely that he is also a fool.The collusion between the monarch and his ministers will bring disaster to the country and the people... Okay, but you don’t know, the next decision I make is really going my own way, regardless of your life or death! Zhao Kuangyin decided to go all out, kick away all opponents, and send troops again, the target is still the Northern Han Dynasty! When the news came out, the whole country was stunned.People in the Song Dynasty really don't understand, what happened to their always wise and rational emperor?What in that barren and small Beihan has been tempting him?Or where did the Northern Han provoke him, so that he would be wiped out soon?

Very good, in the face of many doubts, Zhao Kuangyin is very satisfied.That's what he wanted. If even his own people didn't understand it, then it would be even more unexpected to believe in the Northern Han Dynasty and the damned Khitan.Especially when they just took advantage of it, and the Song Dynasty stole chickens and lost money. The Northern Han Dynasty must be killed. Zhao Kuangyin has N reasons to support him in doing so. After summing up the lessons of the failure of the last dispatch of troops, he also came to the conclusion that another dispatch of troops must win. The theoretical basis is as follows:

First, the national situation of the Northern Han Dynasty was even more unstable.The new emperor Liu Jiyuan was tossing about. I heard that he had killed many relatives and ministers, making everyone in the Northern Han Dynasty feel insecure.But the wonderful thing is that Guo Wuwei is still alive, and he is still a high-ranking and prominent official.This is huge good news, and there is an opportunity to take advantage of it. Second, on his own side, the huge potential has not yet been tapped.The first is who will be in charge of sending troops again.Li Jixun?No, he has been proven to be very strong, and he can quickly break through the defense system of the Northern Han Dynasty and approach the city of Taiyuan.However, he still failed to meet the standard. He could not capture Taiyuan City, nor could he withstand the Khitans.So who to send?Murong Yanzhao and Han Lingkun are both dead, and Fu Yanqing, who made the Khitan people fearful, is already old, so send Shi Shouxin who retired or his former brother-in-law Gao Huaide (the princess who rolled Zhao Kuangyin with a rolling pin is already dead at this time, after her death The Song Dynasty took back Gao Huaide's status as consort) Return to the old business?Or use the murderous Wang Quanbin?No, neither will work.Zhao Kuangyin sneered slightly to the north when he was alone, with indescribable pride and cruelty in his smile - I want to send the real number one general of the Song Dynasty, this person is truly invincible, invincible, regardless of the enemy Whoever it is, there is only failure in front of him!

This is by no means bragging, history can testify that this man is really victorious in every battle!At least until this time... Third, this is the biggest reason.Just in these few months, the aforementioned person who had a higher status and power than Zhao Kuangyin died suddenly.This person is not a relative or elder of Zhao Kuangyin, but Yelu Shulu, the emperor of Khitan. This is a very regrettable thing, no matter whether the Han people admit it or what they think in their hearts, a fact exists relentlessly-from the day when the Song Dynasty was established, Khitan was bigger than it, until the Northern Song Dynasty and it perished one after another. Same.Looking through history, it is indisputable that Khitan, which started with the Five Dynasties and ended with the Northern Song Dynasty, was the largest country on the Asian continent at that time.Yelv Shulu, who is the most expensive emperor of the empire, lived a much happier life than Zhao Kuangyin. The imprints left by this person in history are countless banquets, hunting, and listening to the witch's nonsense, killing people and taking courage to live forever medicine, and even if the emperor and his ministers made a slight mistake, they would be scorched, iron combed, stabbed with a knife, cut and shot, broken limbs, broken waist and shins, cut mouth and broken teeth, left the corpse in the wild, etc. Inhuman punishment.Whenever I see these, I wonder if this is the exaggeration of the Song Dynasty historians who hated Khitan, but the ruthless history proves that these must be true, because the Khitan people can't stand such a tyrannical king anymore. "History of Liao Dynasty" records that Yelu Shulu was killed by his valet, cook, and beautician after hunting and drinking again.He was only thirty-nine years old when he died.

The Khitan people are also in chaos, this is really a godsend opportunity... Godsend not to give, but to be blamed!With so many favorable conditions added together, if he doesn't send troops, is he still Zhao Kuangyin?What's more, the Southern Tang, Wuyue, and Southern Han countries in the south are all watching. If he can't even do anything to a small Northern Han, these countries that have already surrendered or are still on the sidelines will all jump out and rebel! Therefore, we must send troops, we must win, we must win all! In February 969 AD, nearly three months after the retreat from the Northern Han Dynasty, Emperor Zhao Kuangyin of the Song Dynasty sent troops again.This dispatch of troops was destined to shock the time, because since the founding of the People's Republic of China, since the "Er Li" was put down, no emperor has ever visited the battlefield in person.

At this time, the answer to the mystery is revealed. You don’t need Shi Shouxin, you don’t need Gao Huaide, you can’t afford to use Zhang Yongde and Fu Yanqing, the veterans of the previous dynasty, the number one generals of the Song Dynasty. History can testify, is there a problem with the above comments?This year, the emperor, who started as an ordinary soldier, was already forty-three years old, and his experience, energy, and wisdom had all reached the peak in a balanced manner. He was full of confidence and extremely rational.Yu Jia's personal conquest was not because he was so calm and thoughtful of killing, but because he clearly realized that although the Northern Han Dynasty was weak, the Khitan was his real enemy. He had to come to the battlefield in person, looking at the civil and military forces of the Song court and the court, who else has the confidence and ability to face the Khitan and win the battle except him?Khitan... Zhao Kuangyin silently read the name of this foreign enemy in his heart, and began to divide troops and send generals. Order - Cao Bin, Dang Jin and others were the vanguard, leading the army to Taiyuan; then ordered Li Jixun to deploy the front army of the Hedong camp, Zhao Zan was the infantry capital Yuhou, and led the elite troops to follow; after that, it was him The main force of the whole army led by me. This is a reasonable arrangement, no matter what, the battle of Taiyuan three months ago has proved that Li Jixun and others can at least be the vanguard. As for the Khitan that was bound to appear, he had no arrangements at all.This makes many people uneasy, but facing the founding emperor who has been in power for nearly ten years, every courtier can only silently obey the order.Even Wei Renpu, the former prime minister who originally disapproved of his sending troops to the Northern Han Dynasty, was the same. Wei Renpu withdrew from the political center together with Fan Zhi and Wang Pu, but it was different. He had always been Zhao Kuangyin's adviser.Just before and after the Spring Festival of this year, Zhao Kuangyin hosted a banquet to entertain the veterans, and during the banquet, he suddenly smiled at Wei Renpu—why didn't you persuade me to have a glass of wine? So Wei Renpu left the table and went forward to celebrate the emperor's birthday.When the two were very close to each other, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly asked - I want to conquer Taiyuan myself, how about it? Wei Renpu, who had experienced many events, did not change his expression. He still carried the pot and poured wine, and replied in a low voice-haste makes waste, but Your Majesty should be careful. But Zhao Kuangyin was determined, not only insisted on going his own way, but also enlisted Wei Renpu as a military counselor.This year Wei Renpu was fifty-nine years old, which was an old age in ancient times, but Zhao Kuangyin took a fancy to his experience.Wei Renpu is different. Although his heyday was only at the end of the late Zhou Dynasty, when Guo Wei rebelled against the Later Han Dynasty, Chai Rong attacked the Northern Han Dynasty, and even the original Gaoping War, Wei Renpu stood by the emperor at the critical moment of life and death. It is even recorded that when Chai Rong was in a desperate situation on the Bagong Plain, it was Wei Renpu who reminded him that he had to "go to the west to fight to the death" to save the collapsed battle situation... Everything shows that Zhao Kuangyin The determination to win the Northern Expedition. However, despite all his calculations, he could not have predicted that he would encounter an unexpected big trouble before he left his country. A sudden rainstorm.Can you imagine?On the northern plain between Kaifeng and Taiyuan, it was still deep winter, the coldest February, when Zhao Kuangyin's army had just reached the Luzhou area, it suddenly encountered continuous heavy rain! The rain was so heavy that even the main battle corps of the Song Dynasty imperial army, the most elite of the Han army at that time, could not march normally and was forced to stay for eighteen days. The battle situation is changing rapidly, and Cao Bin and Dang Jin in front have penetrated deep into the border of the Northern Han Dynasty.what to do?Zhao Kuangyin was still able to hold his breath, but his tiger-wolf subordinates couldn't bear it any longer. They ran around in the heavy rain, looking for trouble. A few days later, Zhao Kuangyin actually caught a spy from the Northern Han Dynasty. . If Zhao Kuangyin found a treasure, if he said that he was not in a hurry, he would not believe it!He immediately interrogated this hapless spy personally, what happened in the Northern Han Dynasty, specifically in Taiyuan City? The spy's answer made him very happy-the people in Taiyuan are suffering, and they are all looking forward to you, waiting day and night, and scolding you for coming so slowly! (The people in the city have been poisoned for a long time, watching the car driving day and night, hating it for being late.) Zhao Kuangyin laughed, not only did not kill him, but also rewarded him with a new suit, and sent him to flee for his life (the emperor laughed and gave the clothes away). But what happened later showed that this fateful spy was really a clever ghost, who knew when to say what to say, and firmly put Zhao Kuangyin together.But at that time, Zhao Kuangyin was still greatly encouraged. He ordered to set off immediately while the rain was getting lighter, catch up with Cao Bin, Dang Jin and Li Jixun in front as soon as possible, and break into the border of the Northern Han Dynasty as soon as possible. Li Jixun and others in front had already been familiar with the road, and they attacked Taiyuan City again without much effort.It's too easy, and people have an illusion. Could it be that the Northern Han Dynasty has completely declined, and the army of the Song Dynasty can go to the center of its capital anytime and anywhere?And this was really confirmed during the attack. Liu Jiye (please note that his original surname was Yang) was the number one general in the Northern Han Dynasty at that time, and they were easily defeated by them in Tuanbai Valley. In fact, it is a bit exaggerated to say that they were defeated. At that time, Liu Jiye sent hundreds of cavalry to patrol and reconnaissance. As a result, as soon as Li Jixun's brigade showed up, these patrol soldiers immediately raised their hands and surrendered.Song Jun was happy at that time, is this the elite of the Northern Han Dynasty?This is Liu Jiye's soldiers?Is Liu Jiye the "Invincible General"?You're going to laugh so hard, what are you waiting for?Hurry up and see what the Invincible General looks like! So the Song army swarmed up, and as a result, they rushed all the way to the terminal - the capital of the Northern Han Dynasty, Taiyuan City.Moreover, they soon knew that the "Invincible General", who had been running ahead of them and could not catch up no matter how hard he tried, had just fled into Taiyuan City, and was dismissed and investigated by his own emperor Liu Jiyuan. "Hahaha..." Li Jixun and others laughed wildly under the city of Taiyuan.There is nothing more refreshing than this. All signs show that the North Han River is in decline, and it has only been three months before and after, and it has become so vulnerable! What are you waiting for?Siege!We must capture Taiyuan City before His Majesty arrives, and finish the work that should have been done three months ago!Only in this way can it be revealed who is the real "invincible general". Thus, the nightmare unfolded. One question - do you prefer Achilles, or Hector? The invincible ancient Greek warrior Achilles has been praised throughout the ages, because he was invincible and avenged his friend by killing Hector, the prince of Troy... What about Hector? Although he was also extremely brave and good at fighting, he was ultimately no match for the demigod Achilles. After being killed, he was dragged behind the chariot and humiliated around the city... Does this detract from his reputation as a warrior?In Homer's epic poems, he is repeatedly seen fighting the strongest general in the enemy army, falling down, rising up, and returning to the battlefield again and again.Some people may laugh at him for being overreaching, but behind him there are his parents, wife and children in the city of Troy, who will not allow him to retreat and compromise... He is a loser, a murdered, and a futile, but he Not a hero? Then look at Liu Jiye. Liu Jiye, originally surnamed Yang, was named Chonggui.His ancestor lived in Linzhou, and later he settled in Taiyuan, so the history books of the Song Dynasty generally call him a Taiyuan native of Bingzhou.His father's name was Yang Xin, who was originally a powerful man in Linzhou. During the troubled times of the Five Dynasties, he pulled up a team, occupied his hometown on the spot, and called himself the governor.But although Yang Xin is strong, he is only one party. No matter it is the Later Han, Later Zhou, or Northern Han, whichever party rises, he has to belong to it.When he was in the Later Han Dynasty, he was forced to send his eldest son Yang Chonggui to the Taiyuan City of Liu Chong, the general of the Later Han Dynasty, to listen to orders. Actually, hostages. This is how Yang Chonggui's life began.How can I say it?Throughout his life, no matter where he went, no matter how dedicated he was, his encounters were full of ups and downs and regrets.In his whole life, not to mention honor and nobility, even the basic dignity and survival must be fought hard. Even his name has to be avoided because of the names of his masters in different periods. He used to be called Yang Chonggui, Yang Zhongxun, Yang Chongxun, and Yang Chonggui. Later, he couldn't even keep his own surname, so he was completely renamed Liu Jiye and became Liu Chonggui. godson.However, due to his age, he still has to be of the same generation as Liu Chong's grandsons Liu Jien, Liu Jiyuan, Liu Jiwen... But no matter what, he is loyal to every master. It's a pity, loyalty, this is his most popular virtue, but from the perspective of personal destiny, it is the biggest source of misfortune in his life. At this time, the "Invincible General" failed again. He failed to keep the invading Song army out of the country. Instead, he retreated all the way and fled back to the capital.All this made the king angry and the enemy ridiculed.But be careful, firstly, his reputation of being invincible came from his long-term confrontation with the Khitan; secondly, as a major general short of soldiers, is it possible that he can really defeat all the enemies with one enemy and ten thousand by himself?Is that really the only way to live up to the damn "invincible" name? There is no way, this is the burden of fame, "Invincible General" is like the number one master of martial arts, doomed to die in China.History has testified that seventeen years later, this heavy golden signboard really crushed him to death. Said that now, Liu Jiyuan was furious and dismissed Liu Jiye on the spot, but when the Song army really approached the city, he immediately changed his mind and asked Liu Jiye to lead troops out of the city again. The order was to guard the Fenhe Bridge outside Taiyuan City, so as not to Besieged by the Song army again. Fenhe Bridge... From here, Zhao Kuangyin's second attack on Taiyuan in the Northern Han Dynasty kicked off, and Liu Jiye's name has been faintly mentioned intermittently in Song history since then. First of all, we must mention Fenhe River. "Fen" itself means big.It is 710 kilometers long and traverses north and south in Taiyuan, which is more than 100 kilometers long.How about it?Quite big, it seems that whether it is for civilian use, commercial use, or other purposes, it is enough... Please forgive me for being a bit wordy, but in order to explain this period of history, Fenhe must first have an explanation. The Fenhe Bridge was an important passage to and from Taiyuan in those days.At this time, the people of the Song Dynasty were familiar with the road, and went straight to the key point when they came, thinking that the Northern Han people should know each other, and honestly waited in the city for the siege, and everything was repeated as before last year.But unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived at the bridge, the Northern Han soldiers in Taiyuan City rushed out, led by the defeated general Liu Jiye. The soldiers of the Song Dynasty were stunned. I really didn't expect this Liu Jiye to be crazy?The strength comparison between the enemy and us is already very clear, right?Whether they can fight outside the city, they should have known each other well last year, right?So why go out of town to seek death?Isn't it good to keep the strength to defend the city?Didn't Liu Jiye even understand such a simple truth after fighting all his life? ! The people of the Song Dynasty were angry, and the final conclusion was that Liu Jiye was seriously in need of a beating. He could only explain that he didn't take the soldiers of the Song Dynasty seriously.What are you waiting for?kill him! At this moment, Liu Jiye was in a sad mood. He knew everything, but he could only send troops to fight.The reasons and encounters are exactly the same as those of him seventeen years later.Because he is loyal, because he obeys unconditionally, even if he knows that there is an ambush ahead, he will definitely fail, the defeat will be uncontrollable, and the whole army will be wiped out. He will obey the order and rush to the enemy who is several times or even dozens of times his own ! In this way, the Fenhe Bridge turned into a blood-red hell. When Liu Jiyuan, who was unwilling to fail, had to send an order to retreat in the city, more than a thousand corpses of Northern Han soldiers had fallen beside the bridge.And killing one thousand enemies and injuring eight hundred, the loss of the Song Dynasty can also be imagined. When Emperor Zhao Kuangyin of the Song Dynasty came to Taiyuan City, the city was already like an isolated island, and the battle formation was like clouds. Taiyuan City was besieged again.Zhao Kuangyin felt very satisfied when he looked at the majestic and majestic Taiyuan City, and then at the bloody Fenhe Bridge. All these showed that his subordinates were still working hard. After that, he rode a horse to a high slope outside the city, where it is said that he could overlook the whole city of Taiyuan.Right there, he said to his subordinates, go and find tens of thousands of migrant workers for me. As for whether to go back to the Song Dynasty to find them, or to use local materials in the Northern Han Dynasty, you decide for yourself.But I want to be fast.I want to dig another big trench around the moat of Taiyuan City, and then go to chop wood and build four barracks outside the trench.Remember, it’s for you to live in. Whether it’s built well or not, you will oversee the work yourself. In the end, he gave the order—siege on all sides, each responsible.Li Jixun is in the east of the city; Zhao Zan is in the west of the city; Cao Bin is in the north of the city; Dangjin is in the south of the city.From now on, start the siege! But what discouraged Zhao Kuangyin was that his order could not be carried out at all.The reason is very simple, his soldiers are very busy. Around Taiyuan, there are four big camps, each of which is in dire straits. There is no peace, and they are almost losing their lives. How can we talk about attacking? The thing is, if you talk about Taiyuan City in Shanxi, it is really big. If you want to dig a trench around it, it has to be deep and wide, so deep that people can’t climb up after falling, and so wide that war horses can’t jump over it. What kind of project is that?And I have to build a house and build a fortress, which is a headache to think about.But no matter what, you have to settle down before you can work, so the four barracks first became construction sites. But on a dark and windy night, the west city gate of the Northern Han Dynasty quietly opened, and a group of people came out without a sound, everyone carrying swords and fierce eyes.Didn't expect that?The Northern Han Dynasty, who had never won even a single victory since the beginning of the war, dared to send troops to sneak attack! Speaking of sneak attacks, this is really a learned move.I don't know what it is like in foreign countries, but in China, as long as you open the history books, or every classic chapter novel, it is full of the same and never tire of - sneak attack.That is, if you fight to the death during the day and there is no result, then you will stay up late at night, gag both the horse and yourself, and enter the opponent's camp while it is dark... and then win.Of course, the higher level is the party being attacked, who dug a big hole in advance, and then waited for the enemy to jump into it in the middle of the night.It is said that it is very enjoyable when the enemy actually falls into the pit. But these are not up to Liu Jiye, the order he accepted is to continue to attack.Please note that it is a "continuous" sneak attack.First of all, the first target he chose was Zhao Zan outside the west gate.The reason is simple and correct. Among Li Jixun, Cao Bin, Dang Jin, and Zhao Zan, Zhao Zan has the least reputation, and correspondingly the weakest strength and experience. So with a shout, they rushed in, and the sky was full of flames... The sneak attack began. The effect was good. After all, this was the first sneak attack of the Northern Han Dynasty. The people of the Song Dynasty were caught off guard and were really taken aback for a while.But it must be emphasized that the Song Army in Zhao Kuangyin's period must not be equated with the Song Army in the later people's impressions.They quickly stabilized their positions, especially Zhao Zan himself, the infantry commander Yuhou, who rushed out of the barracks immediately and came to the battlefield.It's just very, very regrettable, this night seems to be destined to be his unlucky day, arrows are flying in the dark, swords and guns have no eyes, he suddenly screamed and fell down. Don't...don't move, you've been hit by...an arrow.And what made him extremely depressed was that the part where the arrow hit was actually his... sole of the foot.I really don't know where he was standing at that time, and where the arrow came from. But no matter what, this arrow made Song Jun never see the main general again.You can't ask Zhao Zan to stand and command majesticly after being hit by an arrow in this part, right?It's so damn, Liu Jiye took the opportunity to rush to kill, watching the Song Army's Ximen Camp come to an end. But, just... watching. Here comes reinforcements.This army came so fast that Liu Jiye was completely caught off guard. Before the sneak attack, he had carefully calculated that it was impossible for the Song army to have such fast reinforcements. But the ruthless truth is right in front of you.A sneak attack can only be to attack the unprepared, otherwise it becomes a weak attack on the strong.This army came so fast, it can only show that it is the elite of the elite.There was no other way but to retreat immediately. But afterward, he gritted his teeth and learned that the army that saved Zhao Zan and shattered his wishful thinking was actually a motley army of half laborers and half engineers! It's all because of the deadly Fenhe Bridge, which fell apart during the last battle for the bridge. Zhao Kuangyin sent these people to cut wood in the woods next to Xizhai, but they heard the sound of fighting drums. He rushed over desperately... Sigh, Liu Jiye let out a long sigh, what else can I say?This is the quality of the Song army. He advances after hearing the war and never retreats in danger. He is really an elite soldier in the world. And he himself... Don't think about it, his mission has not been completed yet, remember, he has to "constantly" sneak attack - damn it, he has to keep sneak attacking!However, he, Liu Jiye, wanted to implement it 100%. So, who is the second target?Zhao Zan's place has just been there, so it's inappropriate to go again; Li Jixun?No, that was the coach last time, and this time, the front army is also deployed after Zhao Kuangyin himself. It is doomed to have no good fruit to go there; so is it Cao Bin?No way, Cao Bin is at least a cautious person, and he just attacked once, if Cao Bin was unprepared, it would be a ghost... Only one party was left, and it could only be him. What's more, according to reliable information, Dang Jin is still a rough person who behaved very rough and made mistakes by drinking.In this way, Liu Jiye set the target of another "sneak attack" on Dang Jin.God testified, this time it was not his bad luck, but he really asked for it.Dangjin... is a little rough, and really likes to drink a few drinks, and is usually careless, especially joking, and has no military discipline.It's just...he is Zhang Fei. His characteristics are almost exactly the same as Zhang Fei's - making trouble at ordinary times, sober at critical moments, and his fighting power is extremely powerful!With just a few slightly special highlights, Liu Jiye really fell into a big stumble. Another sneak attack, the timing of the choice is still very good, and in order to increase mobility, Liu Jiye completely chose cavalry this time, which is both a sneak attack and an assault.Hundreds of elite cavalry from the Northern Han Dynasty rushed forward and killed them in an instant. The party's reaction to entering the camp was immediate panic, and all the soldiers of the Song Dynasty couldn't find the north at once. The situation is great, even better than last time in Zhao Zan's camp!Liu Jiye's spirit was lifted, and it seemed that success was expected... Then he suddenly found an unusually tall and burly man rushing out of the chaotic Song soldiers, and directly killed him. Then everything was out of control. No one could stop Dang Jin. Dang Jin who was attacked was furious. He drove Liu Jiye out of his camp, and then chased Taiyuan City. He refused to stop when he reached the edge of the city. Liu Jiye was forced to jump into the moat, swam to the other bank, and pulled a large basket down from the top of Taiyuan City before pulling it up. Only then did Dang Jin return to his camp resentfully. Zhao Kuangyin's plan was implemented step by step, and Taiyuan City was gradually surrounded by trenches and military camps.But Zhao Kuangyin's expression became more and more ugly.After processing the documents from the Song Dynasty every day, he would gallop up to the high slope outside Taiyuan City and stare at Taiyuan City for a long time. People can only live by their own mind and wisdom, and can only judge and predict things based on past experience. Zhao Kuangyin stared at Taiyuan in front of him, what appeared in his mind was Hezhong City 21 years ago and Shouzhou City 11 years ago.This is the siege battle he has personally experienced. Back then, Guo Wei and Chai Rong, one spent nearly a year to completely siege, and the other mobilized hundreds of thousands of civilians to attack day and night... What can he do with these two things? What's more, Taiyuan is not comparable to Hezhong and Shouzhou, the latter two are just important towns, but here is the capital of a country.In front of Zhao Kuangyin's eyes, Taiyuan City and his army could be clearly seen at a glance. No matter how long he stared at it, the balance of strength would not change in the slightest... Moreover, Khitan was also added.At this time, two words that had not been considered involuntarily emerged—increasing troops. The existing force is enough to wipe out all the mobile troops of the Northern Han Dynasty, but there is a prerequisite for that, that is, the Northern Han Dynasty goes out of the city to fight the Song army in the field.If you want to attack the city, you must increase your troops.The increase in troops really worried Zhao Kuangyin. His battle line is too long. Jing, Hu, Shu, as well as the borders with Southern Tang and Southern Han, must send troops to garrison, and even in the country, they must maintain a certain number of forbidden troops to guard against rebellion at any time.And his current military strength in the whole country does not exceed 200,000... Sigh, what a stretch! Is it really necessary to spend endlessly under the city of Taiyuan until you have to retreat, or even if you win, you will suffer heavy losses, and the gains outweigh the losses?Zhao Kuangyin racked his brains and thought hard, but there was still nothing he could do... At this moment, someone beside him suddenly asked softly and slowly——Your Majesty, something seems strange. Ok?What's up?Zhao Kuangyin turned his head to look angrily, and found that it was Chen Chengzhao, the commander of Zuo Shenwu. With a slightly mysterious smile on Chen Chengzhao's face, he asked very cautiously—that's it, Your Majesty, you already have tens of thousands of soldiers here, but why don't you use them? Zhao Kuangyin blinked again and again, he was pleasantly surprised, but he really didn't understand. Chen Chengzhao stopped talking, just motioned him to look in front of him, then to the left and right, and then to the distance... He kept looking, and suddenly Zhao Kuangyin suddenly realized and laughed wildly! One word wakes up the dreamer, it seems that you can't just stare at the square inch in front of you when you do anything.Well, when Zhao Kuangyin withdrew his gaze from a distance and gathered again to the Taiyuan City in front of him, it no longer existed and had been razed to the ground by him. At this time, Liu Jiyuan in the city was even more confident.The reason is his source of strength - Khitan.Different from the past, this time the reaction speed of the Khitan people was directly proportional to the strength of Zhao Kuangyin's personal command of the troops. Before Liu Jiyuan called for help, they sent people here first. It was a messenger named Han Zhifan who sneaked into Taiyuan City at night before Zhao Kuangyin's army encircled him.He brought two things, one was the canonization given by the new Khitan emperor to the Northern Han Dynasty, and once again recognized Liu Jiyuan's status as emperor; as for the other, it was even more exciting - Khitan's reinforcements were on their way and would be here soon!There is no need to worry about the personal conquest of the emperor of the Song Dynasty. History has proved countless times that everyone is equal before the Khitan cavalry, and everyone has to shout for help! Liu Jiyuan is relieved, this is considered a narrow escape, and it's all right... Okay, tomorrow we will have a big banquet to celebrate the new life.But Liu Jiyuan was wrong. Like all those in power throughout the ages, he made a big mistake of taking it for granted. He thought he was the emperor, so his happiness was the happiness of the whole Northern Han Dynasty, and his new life was the new life of the whole Northern Han Dynasty.But the question is, does everyone think so? The next day, Liu Jiyuan set up the food and drink at the banquet, and waited for the courtiers to congratulate him with a smile on his face.But what greeted him was a burst of hoarse wailing, and one man pulled out his sword while crying and shouting, and was about to commit suicide in front of the emperor and all civil and military officials. No one dared to persuade, let alone stop, because this was Guo Wuwei who had become prime minister again. At this time, a question arises-how long does it take for a person to commit suicide?When he was holding a sword in his hand and gesturing towards his neck?It seems that it shouldn't be too long anyway, but it's just a wave of hands.But Guo Wuwei's suicide was quite strange, the distance between the sword and the neck seemed to be very far away, so far that it allowed his emperor Liu Jiyuan to walk down the steps, approach him again, and still have plenty of time to grab his sword and pull him Go back to the podium.During this period, he was actually alive. That's why he could continue to say the following sentence that can be found in the official history-why use a lonely city to fight against a million heroes? (How can an isolated city fight against millions of teachers?) The voice is said to be quite loud, enough for everyone present to hear clearly. Are you depressed?This is the result of Liu Jiyuan and his dead brother Liu Jien inviting courtiers to drink. One was killed by Guo Wuwei after the drinking session;But even so, Guo Wuwei was still the prime minister of the Northern Han Dynasty! At this period, the situation changed suddenly, whether it was Zhao Kuangyin or Liu Jiyuan, their eyes suddenly turned to the north.Khitan... Whether you like it or hate it, you can never erase an important national character of it - keeping promises, especially when it agrees to send troops to attack. The Khitans came, they suddenly appeared from Shiling Pass, and killed Zhao Kuangyin, the most powerful emperor since Emperor Shizong of the Zhou Dynasty after Chai Rong.So who will Zhao Kuangyin be?是被契丹轻易灭国的石重贵、李从珂，还是大败契丹太祖耶律阿保机的后唐庄宗皇帝李存勗？ 没有人知道，但是世界很快就会都知道…… 公元969年，注定了是一个刀兵四起，凶杀恶斗的年头，首先天时就不正。赵匡胤在2月份起兵时，被突如其来的暴雨摁住，一连洗了十八天的冷水澡。而刚到了4月，山西境内的天气竟然热得连单衣都穿不住了。 当赵匡胤接到契丹人杀过来的消息时，他正手里把玩着一把出了鞘的宝剑，赤着头光着脚，坐在汾河的岸边，看着他的大兵们在岸边忙碌。这时候他完全恢复了一个军人的形象和本能，其心情和状态只能用一个字来概括形容，爽！ 热辣辣的阳光直射下来，照在他白皙细腻的脚部皮肤上……真是久违了，酷烈的阳光和冰冷的刀剑，还有身边一大群一大群和他一样赤膊精壮的士兵，这些才是他生命核心里不可或缺的东西。而那些叽叽歪歪的腐儒酸丁，这时候终于离他远一点了……想想吧，他曾在一个又闷又热的夏天晚上，在便殿接见大臣，就因为没穿正经礼服，那位仁兄就死活不进殿说事，直到他穿戴整齐，才勉强进门。 老天在上，那怎么会是一个活人的生活？ 重回战场，生命重新变得酷烈而狂放，就在这时，他得到了他真正的敌人，契丹人来袭的战报。突然之间，汾河河畔的风冷得让人发抖，每一个记忆力健全的人，都会在脑海里浮现出近五十多年来，汉人在契丹的铁蹄钢刀下血肉横飞的惨状。不错，他们都是精锐的战士，但是精锐到什么程度？能强过后周柴荣时期的猛将史彦超吗？ 史彦超，就是在柴荣攻打太原时，阻截增援北汉的契丹人阵亡的。 那么现在军中还有谁？慕容、韩、石、高这些威名赫赫的百战良将都不在这里，唯一叫得响的名字就是赵匡胤本人。他自己在亲征中降格为将，亲自带兵迎上去吗？ 赵匡胤在汾河岸边缓缓地站了起来，手里仍然提着那把出鞘的利剑，发出了指令——宣何继筠。 何继筠，字化龙，祖籍太原，其父为后周大将何福进。有宋之后，官封建武军节度使，为人深沉不苟言笑，在赵匡胤这次在汾河边上突然宣召他之前，他已经戍边近二十年。这次契丹人入侵的路径石岭关，正是他的防区。 历史记载，赵匡胤把他叫来之后，两人秘密地商议了一会儿，说了什么没人知道。然后何继筠就领兵出发。当时天很热，赵匡胤命人特意做了一碗麻酱粉，亲手递给了何继筠，只说了一句话——明天中午，我等你的好消息！（翌日亭午，俟卿捷奏至也！） 面对皇帝特殊的荣宠，何继筠仍旧沉默寡言，他接过碗来，几口吃完，就此领兵出战。但让人目瞪口呆的是，他领出去的兵居然只有几千人！ 最折磨人的就是等待，这一夜无比的漫长。宋军和城里的北汉人刁斗相闻，却再没心情顾及眼前的敌人。他们都在盼望着北方的战果。只不过区区百里开外，却牵动着整个的战局走向。 到了第二天，连赵匡胤本人都沉不住气了，临近午时，他亲自登上了高坡向北方遥望——胜负到底如何？ 其实这时候每个人都清楚了，不管胜负怎样，战局都已经注定有了结果，遥望没有意义了，所应该做的，只有两件事。一，准备庆功大宴，犒劳胜利归来的何继筠；二，就是马上向北集结队伍，准备迎击马上就会到来的契丹！ 除此之外，再没有什么是理智的。 但每一个人还是向北遥望。终于，北方出现了一个黑影，那是个疾驰的骑兵，由远及近，但还是看不清楚。赵匡胤再也无法忍耐，他命令迎上去，马上问出消息。 铁骑飞掠，片刻之后全军欢呼！ 胜利——！难以置信的辉煌胜利——！何继筠在石岭关列阵，在阳曲县之北与契丹遭遇，一场激战，居然生擒契丹武州刺史王彦符、俘虏百余人、战马七百余匹，另外还带回了一千多颗契丹的人头。 来报捷的那个骑兵是何继筠的儿子何承睿，他带回了胜利的消息，但也带来了他父亲的忧虑。就在全军的欢呼声中，他向皇帝悄悄地报告，有另外一支契丹军队正从定州方向来袭，虽然离太原还远，但是一定要注意。 紧张过后的赵匡胤微微一笑，似乎他并不在意。果然，只是十几天之后，就又有捷报传来，他当年的义社十兄弟之一，曾任禁军殿前都指挥使的韩重赟在定州方向重创来犯的契丹人，不仅将对方击败，还彻底将之逐出汉地。 至此，援助北汉的契丹军队还没有到达太原城下，就被宋军赶回了本国。战争的重点重新回到了太原城下，赵匡胤和他的士兵们的信心空前地高涨，他们后撤腾出了一块干净的开阔地，在那儿把石岭关带回来的一千余颗契丹人的人头整齐码放，让城上的北汉人看得清清楚楚。 How about it?投降吗？还不？ 赵匡胤轻轻地摇了摇头，有时候坚定和固执真的很像。那好吧，他传令给陈承昭，我不是早就在这儿驻扎了一千多万名的精兵吗？派他们上场吧…… 汾河，前面提过的在太原城边静静流过的黄河第二大支流，随着赵匡胤的一声令下，突然之间向北汉人露出了狰狞的面目。 一声巨响之后，汾河改道了，只在片刻之后，太原城就变成了一片汪洋。 这就是赵匡胤的那一千万精兵，请重温那天陈承昭向赵匡胤所说的那句原话——“陛下自有千万精兵在左右，何不用也？” 自古引水灌城，威力何止胜过千万之兵？ 负责此项水利工程的陈承昭显然是位行家里手，他从赵匡胤站在高坡上纵声大笑那天起，就一直在修筑堤坝，囤积洪水，这时候郁积多时的洪水突然破堤冲出，水势强大到了一下子就把太原南城的一段城墙冲倒。 糟了，哪里出事不好，非得是南城……那里是猛人党进的地盘。党进一见大喜，真是喜从天降，这明明是老天照顾他，让他去立头功！ 他招呼手下的大兵跳上了早就预备好的小船，直奔城墙的缺口。这时候的事情就需要有创造性的头脑才能理解并实施的了。首先，划着小船就能进太原，这在以前能想象吗？再次，这个时候还有人能相信北汉的都城不会就此陷落吗？ 常识告诉我们，两者都不会。可是现在党进已经真的率兵操舟杀到了城墙的缺口，但是他马上就被一阵空前密集的箭雨给射了回来。回来之后，党进就变得有些神情恍惚，刚才是真的吗？连契丹人都被打败了，城墙也被冲塌了，北汉人还在顽抗？刚才这阵箭雨是不是幻觉？ 为了证明，他再次发起进攻，然后就有了第三次、第四次……直到他恼羞成怒，一把火把太原的南城门给点着了。我就不信这个邪了，一个通道不行，我再开一个行不行？之后的情景相当罕见壮观，为血腥的战场涂上了一层炫烂迷人的美妙色彩，只见一片汪洋大水之中火光冲天而起，水火相映，晶红蔚蓝。太原城的南城门就此慢慢倒塌。 成群结队的宋军往南城集结，连赵匡胤本人也亲自督战。北汉人会射箭，那很好，赵匡胤命令把攻城用的强弓硬弩安装到小船上，举起大盾牌，划到城墙边，抵近射击，先把北汉的射手全部消灭搞定，然后第二梯队马上冲上去抢占城墙。 再下面的，就可以是列队欢迎皇帝进城了…… 按说这样的命令和步骤都非常正确吧，应该管用了。可是历史再一次证明，胜利有时就是不讲道理的。它就像爱情，要有惊喜，才会刺激。而刺激赵匡胤的事一件接一件地发生了。 箭来箭往，没完没了，宋军里的猛人们再也按捺不住，先是内外马步军都军头王廷义恶性勃发，抓过一面大鼓，一顿狠敲，之后把盔甲一把扯掉扔到一边，跳上小船直奔城墙，结果对面满天飞蝗一般的箭雨中，一箭正中他的脑袋……下一个是更加有名的殿前都指挥使都虞侯石汉卿，这时的宋军是极其勇悍的，面对危险，每个人都敢像当年赵匡胤跳下寿州城的护城河时那样对着死神龇牙。但他的结果和王廷义一样，中箭之后栽下了船，被洪水冲走淹死。 主将如此，士兵的伤亡可想而知了，可紧接着就发生了一件更惊人的事。这时太原城里也都是水了，突然在水里漂出了一个空前巨大的草堆！这草堆一边抵挡着宋军射过来的箭，一边缓缓推进，宋朝人只能眼睁睁地看着，这个草堆居然把城墙的豁口给堵住了！ 在当年汾河的滔滔洪水之中，宋朝的士兵们渐渐地冷却了，一个不祥的预感在他们心底里慢慢地升起。太原城，难道真的没法攻破了吗？ 但这是城墙外的哀叹，很像是富得流油的财主对更大的财富流口水。可城里面的人呢？生，还是死？已经到了必须选择的时候。 危难之中，才显出了真正的勇敢。前武当山真人，现任北汉宰相郭无为大人突发神勇，他越众而出，向刘继元请命——单纯的防守终定了失败，请给我一千精兵，我要出城向宋军挑战！ 这真是空前的勇敢，但每个人的心里都有答案。能赢吗？一千个士兵就想打退赵匡胤？守城的兵力本就不够了，还要再浪费吗？可不知道刘继元是怎么考虑的，他居然同意了。还派出了太原城里最强的将领，刘继业和郭守斌一起陪着郭无为出战。 出战选择在一个标准的偷袭之夜，史称“夜雨晦冥”，北汉国王刘继元亲自登上太原城北的延夏门送这些勇士出城，而且久久不愿离去。郭无为带着人马出了城，走到北桥，他停下了马，他要所有的战将都到他身边来，说有机密的事要和他们商量。 事情很反常，他要说什么？要来个战前动员，还是计划有变？但不管怎样，宰相大人被尴尬地晾在了队伍的最前方。 “刘继业，刘继业呢？”他叫。 刘继业远远地回答说我的马蹄子伤了，就在刚才。现在必须得回城去，不然马会很难受的……然后他就带着一部分人先走了。 “郭守斌，郭守斌呢？”郭无为再叫。 可惜这次连回答他的人都没有。史称“守斌迷失道，呼之不获”。之后就在他的面前，一大群一大群的士兵转回身往太原城里走，再没人看他一眼。 郭无为傻了，这和他预想的场景太不一样了。这本来是他精心构思的，可以在眼前这样恶劣的情况下仍然夺回荣华富贵的大好机会，只要他能成功地夹裹着这一千精兵外加两员勇将一起投降宋朝。可这是怎么了？好像人人都知道他要干什么一样，这……这不太可能吧？是他突然变傻了，还是这些人吃了什么药，突然变聪明了？ 但是不要急，他身边仍然还站着几十个人，一直都离他很近。人不多，但已经足够堵住了他奔向不远处宋军大营的路。 郭无为的路终于走到尽头了，只是片刻之后，他就又回到了太原城里，刘继元还在延夏门上等着他。两人再次见面，一个还是北汉的国王，另一个，再不是一人之下、万人之上的宰相了。 隔天之后，为了满足赵匡胤能就近观赏，郭无为被用一条皮带勒死在了太原的南城墙上。而让人难过的是，他虽然死于反叛这个千真万确的罪名，但是揭露他的居然变成了一个叫卫德贵的太监。 这不知是对郭无为的揶揄，还是对刘继元本人的嘲弄，就因为一个养在深宫里的太监的密报，就把一国的宰相杀了？还在他刚刚领兵想为国征战的时候？ 话说城里城外千百万人同时欣赏了郭无为被活活勒死的现场表演之后，每一个人都对今后还要怎样生活有了进一步的想法。 想法之后，行动如下： 有的人拒绝再玩了。比如北汉一方的岚州刺史赵宏，本来就被宋军围困，这时候被郭无为的例子所震撼，觉得前途实在“无亮”，而且听说赵匡胤那边几乎从来没杀过大臣，于是决定主动投降。在他的感召之下，北汉太原附近的州县不断有人向赵宋投降。 在太原城里，却完全是另一番景象。似乎通过近距离观赏了郭无为的死亡之后，每个人的心都和刘继元贴得更近了。其表现是斗志突然飙升，在又一个月黑风高之夜，太原的西城门悄悄地打开，黑黝黝的不知道有多少人从城里杀了出来。 西城，这是北汉人通过分析之前的偷袭成绩，得出的正确结论。他们不考虑李继勋、曹彬，当然，也绝不再去城南找党进。就是赵赞，就是他了。而且他们此行的目标也非常的理智，不再是偷袭营盘，而是把宋军攻城的战具烧光就行了。 只求能暂缓一下城墙部位的压力而已，但就是这样，他们付出的代价都是超级巨大的。因为他们百密一疏，忘了赵赞的脚底板在前两天才被他们射了一箭，他疼啊，他恨，所以他睡不着觉……这注定了他的反应比任何时候都迅速凶狠。 当天晚上，宋军的攻城战具完好无损，北汉人扔下了一万多具尸体狼狈回城。 但这样还没完，西城赵赞的主意打不成，北汉直接想到了宋朝的皇帝赵匡胤。又是一天夜里，赵匡胤在自己的大营里睡不着觉想心事，突然听见营寨之外有人大喊四个字。 这四个字让宋营里所有听见的人都蹦了起来，做出了同一个动作——竖起耳朵，再听一次，这不是真的……一定是整天想这事，都弄出幻听了！ 但喊声再次传来，四个字原样不变——北汉主降！ 天哪，刘继元竟然投降了……吁——宋朝人都惊喜得快要虚脱了，不过想想也对，他们都快累垮了，刘继元他们还能好吗？只有比他们更惨……投降，也在情理之中。 这种想法很快就在宋营中达成了共识，包括见多识广，以理智沉稳著称的赵匡胤。 于是，赵匡胤下令，所有的卫士都穿好盔甲拔出刀，打开寨门，准备受降仪式。但突然有人叫停，给这个万众欢乐的时刻夹杂了点杂音。是宋营里的八作使赵璲。 赵璲没有反对受降，只是给喜出望外的皇帝提了个醒——陛下，自古受降如临敌，半夜进行，好像不那么隆重正规吧。 不必一盆冷水，赵匡胤恢复冷静只需要一杯冷水就足够了。他点了点头，让人到外面去问问，结果一切就没了下文。 但是没人会相信当天晚上刘继元真的满怀投降诚意而来，只是因为赵匡胤没有在第一时间亲自欢迎就失望地回城了吧！ 那天晚上赵匡胤站在漆黑的露天地里，被周围无数双眼睛盯着不停地看，似乎每一个人都在向他摇头——唉，这样就被骗了？还郑重其事地准备受降……想赢都想疯了吧！ “天子之怒，伏尸百万，流血千里！”——这就是那天晚上赵匡胤心灵的真实写照，而且马上就变成了宋军的具体行动。 攻击点再次选中了太原的南城，那里的崩塌效果最显著，有草堆堵漏的城墙，还有勉强拼凑起来的城门。敌之弱点，即为我之要点。攻击绝对正确。但遗憾的是，没什么新招儿。 没办法，这时正值四五月，是中国所有河流的水量最丰沛的季节，除了船，这时太原城下没有更好的战斗工具了。宋军在东西班都指挥使李怀忠的率领下驾着小船，再次冲向了南城门。老办法，一把火点着了它，然后就近冲向城墙的缺口，完全复制了前些天的战斗过程。 结果也和以前一样，李怀忠中箭，不过没死，他奄奄一息地被抬了回来。这时候，不管别人是什么感受，宋军中最精锐的部队，也就是赵匡胤本人的亲兵卫队再也坐不住了，接二连三的伤亡失败，对别人产生的效果是惊愕和恐惧，可他们感到的是气愤，是不服！是突然间跳起来去找赵匡胤。 殿前司指挥使都虞侯赵廷翰率领殿前司诸班卫士叩头请命——“愿先登急击以尽死力！” 但是皇帝犹豫了，愤怒不像忌恨，它注定了只在短时间内强烈爆发。随着李怀忠和大批的战士死伤狼藉，他的心一边在权衡利弊得失，一边在逐渐冷却。 一个在出兵之前就反复思量的问题再一次浮现出来——得到北汉真的是这么重要吗？难道要用宋朝军队中所有精华的生命去换取吗？ 没有了军队……就没有了一切，连自己的国家都没法保住。 赵匡胤的神经一下子放松了，他苦笑了一下说——你们都是我亲自训练的，我知道你们都能以一当百（汝曹皆吾所训练，无不一当百），所以才用你们卫护左右，我们休戚与共。我宁愿不要太原了，也不能命令你们去送死！（岂忍驱汝曹冒锋刃，蹈必死之地乎！） 士兵们先是愕然，接着都哭了。这时的赵匡胤不再是皇帝，也不是将军，而是比他们年长二十余年的叔伯长辈。他的理智，把所有人从悬崖边缘拉了回来，而且再次拉近了与自己士兵之间的距离。但是，无论是由衷的感动，还是精明的计算，在这种温馨感人的气氛里，一片冲天杀气也就此都消散了。 战争，本就开始于人心里的一点或好胜、或贪婪的欲念。失去了这点欲念，一切都显得荒谬可笑。 何况就在这时，几个极端恶劣的消息一起传来了。首先，魏仁浦死了。五十九岁的前宰相随军出征，在半路上就病了，只能回国疗养，可还是没缓过来，而且更要命的是契丹人突然出现。 这支契丹部队躲过了宋军散布出去的所有哨卡，当他们出现的时候，就到了太原城的西门外。他们没有马上发动攻击，而是鸣鼓举火，向城里的刘继元发送消息。这下子本就顽强不屈的北汉人更加有了底气。 而且，这支部队的首领级别居然是契丹的北院大王耶律乌珍！并且有消息表明，契丹的南院大王耶律斜轸也已经出动，马上就会到达。 这些消息都让赵匡胤深深地呼吸。他明白，这是上次那两次胜仗的后遗症。契丹的国王刚换人，于情于理于利，从哪方面都丢不起这个脸，所以才会把南北两院的大王一起派上了阵。这时候耶律乌珍到了还不开打，原因也非常的简单。 一来是等南院的耶律斜轸到达；二来也是因为他们的对手是赵匡胤本人。但相持注定了是短暂的，摆在赵匡胤面前的只有两条路。一个是趁其孤单，马上攻击；另一个，就是立即后撤。 攻还是退？赵匡胤的心变得极端的平静。除了眼前的强敌，他更加注意到了另一个致命的不利因素。时间，从出兵至今，已经过去了整整四个月，师老兵疲，后继乏力……曾经也是一个大兵的赵匡胤，比十年之后的那位“天才”皇帝更清楚这意味着什么。 事情到了这一步，相信很多人都不理解，为什么之前没有什么了不得的深仇大恨，刘继元在面对赵匡胤时一定要顽抗到底，死不投降？而对异族契丹人却靠得紧紧的，任凭他们随意地欺凌压榨，敲骨吸髓都不在乎？ 奥妙何在？ 或许还有什么别的隐情吧，比如说刘继元是个严重的受虐型变态狂，不然套用一句名言来解释，倒也贴切——契丹只是要我的钱，可是赵匡胤却是既要我的钱，更要我的命。 所以，我只能继续投靠契丹，绝不能投降宋朝。因为我对契丹来说，是一只会不断下出金蛋的鸡，为了保护我，他们都会派大队人马过来拼命。我何乐而不为？大不了就再多交点保护费。至于钱，谁让我统治下的人民都那么能干呢？ 这样来解释刘继元是不是有些靠谱？ 但是他却忘了，契丹治下的燕云十六州里汉人也占绝大多数，一样非常能干，契丹没有理由相信，只有他刘继元统治北汉才能给他们不断进贡交钱吧！ 但是这时说什么都晚了，形势要求赵匡胤必须退兵，而且必须得快——这时时机正好，北汉人不敢出来，契丹人还在等大部队。这时不走，更待何时？而且在走时他为了给刘继元再留下点深刻的印象，还顺手牵羊带走了太原城边的一万多户居民。 只是一万多户百姓，这数字很大吗？能让刘继元感到肉痛吗？我们可以就此给刘继元算一笔账，就会知道这一万多户百姓对这时的北汉到底意味着什么。 北汉在刘崇立国的时候，有十一州之地，作为国家来说是标准的“地狭民少”，而且国计民生在那时就到了可以随时审请救灾款的边缘